God’s Party: 11 October, 2020
Matthew 22:1-14
What excuses do we give for not spending time with God?. . . What excuses do we use for not doing what the Spirit guides us to do? If God were standing here today, would our excuses sound as good out loud as they do when we think them to ourselves? How would they sound and feel?. . .
I think the most significant part of the parable is to recognize the value of the invitation. God invites us to be part of the reign of God, part of the great adventure in the universe. . . .
God invites us into the way of life that promises us deep satisfaction and fulfillment. God will give each of us the divine Spirit, who will always guide us so we can be the best we can be. Nothing else compares. . . –– Kenneth C. Schmidt
When I taught this parable a few years back, I focused on those who were called and those who weren’t. I missed the point. Jesus directs our attention in the introduction by likening the kingdom of heaven to this king who is determined to have a wedding banquet for his son, the prince. That’s where the accent is placed, upon this poor king who gets denied, but who is determined to have this wedding party no matter what.
When connected with the two preceding parables, this parable addresses the last movement in the puzzle: the king’s response to the guest’s response to the king’s invitation for the king’s son. The focus is on the determined king; but not a neurotic, perfectionist, dictatorial king. This is a king whose stubborn love for his son will not allow anything or anyone to stand in the way of having a celebration for and with his son, especially on his wedding day. . . .
The king’s determined, stubborn love to have the party happen in honor of his son will not allow the party to crash because of guests who won’t come, or who won’t listen, or who just don’t know how to dress for the occasion. –– Neal D. Presa
Isaiah 25:1-9
The first five verses of chapter 25. . . praise YAHWEH for destroying a fortified enemy city. YAHWEH is also the refuge of the poor. All the nations will eventually praise YAHWEH’s greatness.
Verses 6–10a picture a great end-time banquet served by YAHWEH. The choice of this passage is directed by its association with the banquet imagery in the Gospel reading. It is truly a lavish banquet with only the best foods and wines in great quantity. –– Joseph McHugh
Philippians 4:1-9
Paul holds himself up as a model for the Philippians. Being a man of prayer led Paul to expect to be able to discern God’s will and purpose in all things brought him peace. . . Paul says that whether he is sated or hungry, having an abundance or being needy, God empowers him to carry out the mission of spreading the Gospel. Paul assures the Philippians that God will also supply all that they need, from the riches of Christ. –– Joseph McHugh
Neal D. Presa, pastor of the Village Presbyterian Church, Rancho Santa Fe, California, and adjunct professor of worship at Fuller Theological Seminary, was the Moderator of the 220th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA).
Kenneth C. Schmidt, a Roman Catholic priest, served as pastor of St. Thomas More Catholic Student Parish of Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo College and co-founded the diocesan Trauma Recovery Program assisting adult survivors of childhood trauma.
Joseph McHugh is a freelance writer from New Jersey, and a former weekly newspaper columnist writing on lectionary readings and whose recent writing includes Explain That to Me!: Searching the Gospels for the Honest Truth about Jesus (ACTA Publications).
Homily Service 41, no. 4 (2008): 60-69.